Banquet at the Restaurant, Probing from All Sides

Not only the Iron Clothes Martial Arts School, but Zhou Qiming was also busy that night, sparring with experts from almost all the forces in town.

"Now my strength is top-notch in the vicinity, barely enough to protect myself."

Returning home, Zhou Qiming was delighted with his progress.

How arrogant Yuan Tieyi once was, dismissing his half-year's effort with a single sentence, and now he was nothing but a defeated opponent.

However, Zhou Qiming did not become complacent because of this. There were still the threats of the Jinsha Gang and the Sky Shaker Bandits, so he had to develop low-key.

A true dragon cannot be raised in shallow waters. Zhou Qiming felt it was time for him to leave the small town and develop in Luoshan County Town, where there was a broader world and more resources.

To restore his Root Bone value and continue breaking through the limits of his martial arts, relying solely on the channels and resources of the Cheng Family's pharmacy was far from enough.

"No rush, I'll leave after I break through to the Tendon transformation Realm," Zhou Qiming calmed his mind.

He still had a bottle of Bone forging pills, and coupled with his perfected Muscle Cultivation strength, he could begin to temper his bones.

The human body has 206 bones, which are tempered and forged with strength. The skull is the most dangerous. Many Bone Forging Realm martial artists get stuck trying to temper their skulls in pursuit of the ultimate state.

Now, Zhou Qiming's strength in the Muscle Cultivation Realm could be considered monstrous and invincible, so his Bone Forging speed would far surpass that of his peers.

The next morning, Zhou Qiming arrived at the Haolai Restaurant to work as usual.

"Good morning, Chef Zhou," Wu Wen, Wu Wu, and Chen Ping, all handymen, greeted him with smiles, their eyes full of envy.

It had only been a little over two months since Boss Xu promoted him, and he had gone from a complete beginner to a formal chef. It was simply unbelievable; Zhou Qiming's talent as a chef was terrifying!

Zhou Qiming nodded and smiled back, acknowledging them. The Haolai Restaurant was just his temporary stepping stone; he was no longer on the same level as companions like Chen Ping.

Today was the day Xiao Tian was hosting a banquet at the restaurant to celebrate. People from all the forces in town would be attending, at least to show respect to Yuan Tieyi.

Xiao Tian, busy tempering the bones in his arms, had finally reached the minor accomplishment stage of Bone Forging, all for the sake of showing off today.

The Iron Clothes Martial Arts School had always been a major customer of the Haolai Restaurant, so the kitchen was exceptionally busy today. They had started preparing ingredients very early, and all the chefs were overwhelmed.

The first to arrive were the disciples of the martial arts school. Fang Hai, Cheng Yu, and some direct disciples were in charge of affairs and receiving guests.

Next came the blacksmith shop, the Cheng Family pharmacy, the pawnbroker Liu family, and even the Jinsha Gang sent people with congratulatory gifts.

Amidst the respectful gazes of everyone, Xiao Tian helped Yuan Tieyi up to the second floor and took his seat at the head table.

"I am deeply grateful for everyone's presence," Xiao Tian cupped his hands in greeting, a smug look on his face. With his martial arts achievements at his age, he could be proud even in the county or prefecture town.

"Truly a young hero. Such a young Bone Forging Realm martial artist, truly awe-inspiring."

"Hall Master Yuan has taken in a good disciple. The Iron Clothes Martial Arts School is remarkable."

"If I had a descendant like Xiao Tian, why would I worry about my family's prosperity?"

The elders from the various factions offered their congratulations and praise, regretting that Xiao Tian was not part of their families. Some even had the idea of introducing marriage proposals to win him over.

A 24-year-old Bone Forging Realm martial artist, his potential was terrifying. In this town, he could protect a family's prosperity for decades without falling.

Chef Li's daughter, Li Qian, was also in the audience corner, her eyes shining with admiration and worship. She had tried to get closer to him several times, but her efforts were in vain. Xiao Tian didn't even have the intention of playing with her; he simply looked down on her.

"Thank you all for attending. In the future, if there's anything we can do, the Iron Clothes Martial Arts School will help to the best of its ability."

Yuan Tieyi, as a veteran Martial Master, also stood up and said a few perfunctory words.

However, those below subtly noticed that Yuan Tieyi's complexion was pale, and he seemed unwell. Could someone have injured him?

No one could have imagined that the person who injured this renowned Martial Master was currently in the restaurant, none other than the chef, Zhou Qiming.

"I have long heard of young nephew Xiao's extraordinary talent. Our Qingfeng Hall wishes to test the might of the Iron Cloth Force."

As martial artists, banquets naturally involved challenges and duels.

Under the expectant gazes of the crowd, the first force to make a move was Yang He, the Hall Master of the Qingfeng Hall of the Jinsha Gang.

Because their Jinsha Gang had lost Qiu Yun, they had been shrinking their territory under Jin Buhuan's orders these past few days, and they were all filled with pent-up anger, looking for an outlet.

Furthermore, the Jinsha Gang had long suspected that the person behind the Cheng Family might have had the involvement of Yuan Tieyi and his ilk.

Yuan Tieyi alone was troublesome enough, and now there was the martial arts prodigy Xiao Tian. They absolutely could not stand idly by. If they allowed Xiao Tian to break through to the Tendon transformation Realm, their good days would be over!

"Tian'er, Hall Master Yang's Qingfeng Blade technique is quite formidable. You must be careful,"

Yuan Tieyi said calmly, then leaned down and whispered to Xiao Tian about the flaws in the Qingfeng Blade technique and the counter-methods of the Iron Cloth Skill.

"Practicing at the last moment is too late!"

Yang He sneered and drew his saber with extreme speed. His experience was sharp and seasoned; how could he give Xiao Tian time to receive guidance and react?

Swish, swish, swish!

The Qingfeng Blade technique, in Yang He's hands, danced impenetrably, like chasing the wind. In an instant, he launched a fierce, rapid attack, delivering seven or eight slashes.

Xiao Tian was not flustered. He quickly circulated his Iron Cloth Force to protect himself. He waved his palms, always catching the opponent's blade edge at the last moment, producing a metallic ringing sound.

This was also because he had just reached the minor accomplishment stage of Bone Forging and had tempered the bones in his arms, making the skin of his palms thick and tough, allowing him to barely block Yang He's attack.

Having just broken through to Bone Forging and encountering an experienced expert like the Qingfeng Hall Master, Xiao Tian felt stifled and spat blood, defending with all his might. At first, he wanted to give the opponent a taste of his power, but as the fight progressed, he became increasingly alarmed, only wishing to avoid defeat.

In the distance, Zhou Qiming shook his head and stopped paying attention to the match. These two were too weak, completely incomparable to Bone Forging Realm martial artists like Yuan Tieyi and Jin Buhuan.

In just this short time, Zhou Qiming saw that the Qingfeng Blade technique was full of flaws, and the Iron Cloth Skill was not meant for rigid defense like Xiao Tian used it. If it were him, Yang He would have been a cold corpse long ago.

"Brother Qiming, who do you think will win?" Chen Ping, who was at the age of enjoying the show, asked curiously.

Zhou Qiming shook his head and said, "Within ten moves, Xiao Tian will undoubtedly lose. By only defending and not attacking, he's already lost the momentum."

What Zhou Qiming didn't say was that the opponent's Iron Cloth Skill wasn't fully mastered yet, with too many openings and weak points. Sooner or later, the Qingfeng Blade technique would find an opportunity.

People from various factions on the side all had different opinions, thinking Zhou Qiming was giving bad advice.

"What does a restaurant chef know about martial arts?"

"He's that young man Yuan Tieyi didn't take a liking to, isn't he? It seems he's resentful and can't stand to see Xiao Tian do well."

"Although Yang He's Qingfeng Blade is strong, he's still a man in his sixties or seventies. His Blood Essence is declining, and his foundation isn't as good as Xiao Tian's. If he can't win quickly, he'll inevitably be at a disadvantage."

However, before the words could even finish, Yang He feinted a strike, causing the opponent to raise his hands to protect his eyes.

Little did he know, this strike was just an illusion. Xiao Tian didn't feel any force from the blade at all. Before he could even think or react, a palm strike heavily impacted his body. Several of his ribs broke, and he spat blood as he flew backward.

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